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HRA Comments by NB Alderman Jamie Giantonio...
ReplyDeleteI have the utmost respect for HRA and the services they provide. Sitting through the CDBG grant process you see all the lives this agency touches and the great services they offer to our residents. However- a deal was negotiated for HRA to pay a below market price for a property, in exchange for 25 years of taxes and 25 years of not asking for exceptions. Taking that into account I felt at least the spirit of the deal should be honored- I was open to discussing a reduced tax rate but the rest of the common council did not feel the same.
I voted on the issue what I felt was best for the citizens of New Britain as a whole and was the sole no vote in a 10-1 approval. As far as I was concerned this issue was a done deal. The first I heard of this possible CPOA lawsuit was when the NB Herald Reporter Mr. Robert Storace called me and asked me for a quote. My comments about a "long legal process" came from discussion I had with attorneys PRIOR to me voting on this HRA item.
When I am actually given advanced notice about an item that will be on our agenda (in the case of this HRA vote I had a whole 5-6 hours) - I take the time to fully understand the item before voting on it. In this case I sought the opinion of several attorneys (Including getting the thoughts of an attorney that works in the NB Corp Counsels office) who all expressed concerns to me about the legality of this and that proceeding with this plan may open the city to a lawsuit.
" This is the most flagrant abuse of City taxpayers that O'Brien has perpetrated thus far. As I have said before, check O'Brien's latest reelection campaign contribution list and you will see who benefits. Which attorney is negotiating for HRA? Attorney Michael Carrier. Who - which attorney - is representing the City? I don't know except that Corporation Counsel, John King said, “The city is reasonably confident that it has the authority to renegotiate the terms of the original agreement with HRA and release the deed restriction as part of any new understanding entered into with HRA." REASONABLY CONFIDENT?" Give me a break, the taxpayers pay this guy? Again, which CITY ATTORNEY will represent the taxpayers? Not one has been mentioned, WHY?
ReplyDeleteAnd then, this from Phil Sherwood, "Regarding Mercier’s possible lawsuit, Sherwood said, “If Nick wants to make a political argument as to why it is policy he does not support, that’s fine. However, if he is attempting to make a legal argument, he appears to be a little bit over his head.” When and from where did Sherwood get his law experience?, campaigning for George Jepsen? And, check and see who on the Council voted for this; SURPRISED?
And the public has been effectively eliminated from comment on this issue. Taxpayers, have you had enough yet? "
Just found out from a NB Daily paper that Corporation Counsel, John King will represent the City. King's position is an appointed one - by Mayor O'Brien. Doesn't this represent a conflict of interest? King serves at the "pleasure" of O'Brien. Mr. Sherwood, I am not a lawyer, only a citizen taxpayers asking questions; am I too, in over my head?